Abrahams wife Sarah was barren and because of his desire for an heir as the Lord had promised him, Sarah thought the Lord would provide a child through her handmaid, Hagar the Egyptian. Legend has it that this Hagar was none other than the daughter of Pharaoh, the King of Egypt, the same who coveted the possession of Sarah in vain. Hagar became Abrahams concubine and later bore Ishmael, Abrahams firstborn son.

Alan M. Jones is Pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Clinton, Tennessee, Art Director at the Literacy Imperative Center in Knoxville, TN, and has worked as Research Associate with the Community Partnership Center of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. Alan is also an accomplished freelance artist.

As an artist, he paints under the pseudonym “Theophilus”. His paintings reflect black heritage, social statement, and biblical themes in an effort to strengthen his community. Blacks in The Bible and Urban Inner Visions are two projects he continues to explore. He has completed Church Murals, community murals and portraits as well. He recently completed the design for the new Black Cultural Center Brick Frieze and the tile floor for the University of Tennessee.

As a Research Associate and Pastor, he has been involved in an initiative entitled "The Clinton Desegregation Project: before Little Rock” in which he is working with Knoxville Youth and Church Members to review and commemorate through visual art, music, and narration the significant Civil Rights history regarding the desegregation of Clinton High School.

Prior to his ministry, Alan worked for approximately 20 years with Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation in a variety of positions including Administrator for Community Based Programs and Human Resources.